King of Sticks R1
- Best problem free stick – HORI VX SA
- Best Value for Money Stick – Qanba QRAF4
- Best Entry Level Stick – Datel Arcade Pro/ Mayflash / Paewang
For the gaming professional who plays on 360, it’s the Hori VX SA. Simple. It is simply undisputed for issues, and I’ve done a lot of research. The only thing that stops being my personal favourite is the base of the stick not being comfortable for my slender and sensitive hands.. oh stop it now, you’re making me blush.
For the not exactly flush with cash gamer who is forced to enter tournaments on both consoles or go on PSN because all his friends are there, get the Qanba QRAF4.
For the gaming professional who has godlike reflexes and hand to eye co-ordination, hey you can use any stick, because you can adapt to lag. If the stick can register stick and button presses, it’s a win. The MadCatz TE has lag. HDTVs have lag. PS3s have lag. You don’t see Daigo or Ryan losing because of these issues. However, I personally need all the guarantees that a stick is working because I’m just not that good.
Here’s the overall chart. Note: The Datel Arcade Pro stick is the same as the Mayflash and Paewang.
| Layout | Parts | Stable weight | (Lack of) Issues | Comfort | Looks | Value for Money | Score without cosmetics*** (30) | Overall Score (70) | |
| Qanba | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8** | 10 | 9 | 10 | 27 | 66 |
| Hori VX SA | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 29 | 62 |
| Hori V3 SA | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 28 | 64 |
| Datel Arcade | 10 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 27 | 56 |
| MadCatz TE | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9* | 8 | 9 | 8 | 28 | 61 |
*In the tests against the VX SA, run by HD60GD9EC, the TE lagged.
**In the tests against the Cthulhu, run GodlikeControls, the Qanba lagged. If there’s anything that could save the Qanba, it’s the theory that the PS3 is inherently laggy when it comes to controls. The Qanba in 360 mode theoretically should be better.
The Qanba also has issues with simultaneous button presses. I thought it was just me but another user reported it here. The conclusion on this so far is that the board will not forgive imprecise presses. Others will… but I need that forgiveness!
*** Layout, Parts + Issues
The main sources for research were of course my own testing, discussions with modders Giga D and Gahrling, and the SRK forums.
And there you have it, the Hori VX SA is Orochinagi’s King of Sticks.
Even though, I’m going to mod my Qanba and hunt down the Fantastick… see you at the next KOS!
Public Poll Results:
Ratings
- The King of Fighters ’95 4Gag Battle
(5.00 out of 5)
- The King of Fighters ’95 4Gag Battle
About Oyaji
Great review. I totally agree on everything you wrote. 🙂
I sometimes play with the HORI VX SA, and I think it’s indeed a really nice stick, but for two elements:
– it definitely lacks some weight compared to my usual simple-to-mod HRAP3. Therefore it has a tendency to slide more on the lap.
– Like on the Quanba, the start button placement is unfortunate (on the right of the front panel, next to the action buttons). I don’t press it inadvertently, but I know some friends who do in the heat of the fight (and they’re pretty good experienced players), so I think at least some people might have (minor) trouble with the layout.
Also remember that rather than picking a Quanba, you can get a PS3 Hori + a Xbox360 adapter, and you basically have a cross-platform mod without trouble. Madcatz products can have issues with the adapter.
when it comes down to timing, it’s usually something that’s so small it won’t effect anything. at least, that’s how i find it.
Thanks, thanks, thanks! 😀
So, it’s a Hori. Bye, bye, Madcatz TE…
love Hori 😀
Madcatz ain’t bad at all but Hori is the best 😛
though their Controller line up is soo good 😛
and that Datel Stick is a bitch to mod =| it gets a 1 for mod-ability…
Oh yeah, need to try and get one…
there is one that works with it. The Neo-Geo Stick 2+ has a home button on it
PS, Until SNKP put in a patch to allow the Neogeo stick to work on KOF XIII, I can’t include it in the contest.